SEVENTEEN super students are on a high after collectively chalking up an astonishing 85 A grades between them.

Inverclyde’s A-team all notched five top passes in their Higher exams in what has been the area’s best performance in Highers in more than a decade.

The 17 pupils are made up of seven students from Clydeview Academy and six from Notre Dame High School, two at St Columba’s High in Gourock and one apiece from Port Glasgow High and Inverclyde Academy.

Kenneth McClure, deputy head boy at Notre Dame High School, who is just about to start sixth year, hopes his exemplary results will take him a step closer to his dream of becoming an accountant or computer game developer/programmer.

The 17-year-old, inset, who lives with his mum Julie, dad Walter and wee brother Lewis, 13, in Inverkip’s Jacobs Close, achieved As in English, history, maths, physics and computing.

He said: “I’m over-the-moon. I was hoping to get five As but I was a bit worried about English so I was surprised when I got an A for that.

“My family are all pretty proud.” Sixteen-year-old Natalie Roberts from Ascog Place in Wemyss Bay, inset, was thrilled to notch up As in English, maths, chemistry, biology and business management. The Inverclyde Academy pupil, who is a keen horse rider, said: “It’s brilliant to know that all your hard work has paid off.

“I’d quite like to study international business or accountancy and finance at university, so I’m going back for sixth year to do Highers in Spanish, French, accounting and administration.” Brainbox Nathan Dunsmore, who featured in the Tele last year for bagging eight straight As in his National 5 exams, repeated his success this year with his Highers. The 17-year-old Clydeview Academy pupil achieved As in music, maths, physics, chemistry and English.

He said: “I recently visited the Scottish Space School so after speaking to the astronauts I’m now considering doing mechanical engineering.” Provost Robert Moran met the pupils and told the Tele he was in awe of their achievements.

He said: “I think it’s fantastic for the young people but also the education system we have here in Inverclyde and the teaching staff, parents and carers and everyone who has helped them to achieve these wonderful results.

The full list of straight A students: Adam James Barrs, Gourock, 16, Clydeview Academy, Sophie Louise Cavanagh, Gourock, 17, Notre Dame High, Rachel Doohan, Greenock, 16, Notre Dame, Nathan Dunsmore, Greenock, 17, Clydeview, Natalie Gardiner, Gourock, 16, St Columba’s, Kara Gillan, Gourock, 17, St Columba’s, Gillian Goh-Stuart, Gourock, 16, Clydeview, Eilidh Louise Harbison, Greenock, 17, Clydeview, Kenneth McClure, Greenock 17, Notre Dame, Lucy Mary McKeegan, Gourock, 17, Clydeview, Stephanie McKinnon, Port Glasgow, 16, Port High, Natalie Peterson, Greenock, 17, Notre Dame, Natalie Roberts, Wemyss Bay, 16, Inverclyde Academy, Amy Rodger, Gourock, 16, Clydeview, Megan Ruddy, Greenock, 16, Notre Dame, Bethany Rose Tallis, Gourock, 17, Clydeview, Elinor Margaret Truss, Greenock, 16, Notre Dame.